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| Memogate |
Ijaz’s lawyer Akram Sheikh read out his written statement during the proceedings of the Memogate scandal in the Islamabad High Court. A three-member bench, headed by Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard the case.
Sheikh said that Ijaz was ready to come to Pakistan but he and his family have been receiving threats since the last proceeding of the case. Shaikh also told the court that Ijaz has applied for a visa at the Pakistani embassy in Switzerland and his appointment at the embassy is due at 3pm (PST) today.
Justice Isa responded by saying that the commission has limited time to conclude the case and it would be better if Ijaz comes to Pakistan as soon as possible.
The proceedings have been adjourned till January 24.
Speaking to the media outside the court, Sheikh said that the government should stop harassing Ijaz and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders should stop thinking about filing a case against him.
He said Ijaz had not come to Pakistan because the government was in his way. Sheikh alleged that the government did not want Ijaz to come to Pakistan to reveal everything.
A perturbed Sheikh also informed media persons that the court had been informed when Ijaz would be arriving but a schedule would not be revealed to the media.
According to recent reports, legal experts in the country expressed that Ijaz can be charged with ‘high-treason’ on his return to Pakistan, despite his American nationality.
Some reports had also suggested that Ijaz might appear before the court today (Monday) and arrangements were also finalised for his chartered flight.
Former Ambassador to US Husain Haqqani’s lawyer Zahid Bukhari, while talking to the media, said that he had always predicted Ijaz will not come to Pakistan. He added that Ijaz is making baseless excuses of worsening political situation and clash of institutions in the country for not coming, but the commission can’t wait for the situation to improve for Ijaz to arrive.
He added that, as per the commission’s orders, Haqqani’s BlackBerry was searched for, but the phone was not found. “No one remembers their pin numbers. We have provided the commission with everything we have,” he added.
Bukhari also said that he advised the commission to not let Ijaz come to Pakistan as he had defied the orders twice by not coming to the country on the suggested dates. “I am not sure if the commission will take up my request.”
Later, during another media talk, Bukhari clarified that he had requested the commission to ask Ijaz to stay in the country till the proceedings of the case end; however, the case has rejected his request.
The commission said that Ijaz can leave whenever he wants to and he will be summoned again if need be, Bukhari added.
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